JD(S) leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy demands white paper on Kalyana Karnataka funding, development

Janata Dal(S) Youth Wing State president Nikhil Kumaraswamy has called upon the Congress government to release a white paper detailing the funds allocated for the development of Kalyana Karnataka and the actual progress made on the ground.

Speaking to media representatives after flagging off a membership drive in Sindhanur of Raichur district on June 26, he raised pointed questions about the effectiveness of the ₹5,000 crore said to be earmarked for the development of Kalyana Karnataka.

“Where exactly has the money gone? What roads have been built? What schools or bus stands have come up? Let the government make it clear through a white paper,” Nikhil demanded, accusing the government of making vague claims, such as disbursing ₹3,000 crore or ₹2,000 crore, without transparency or visible outcomes.

He criticised the administration for corruption and dysfunction, noting that even senior ruling party MLAs had voiced dissatisfaction in recent days. “This government is being run through middlemen and commissions,” he alleged, citing growing internal dissent in the Congress.

Responding to Minister Rajanna’s recent comments about a political ‘revolution’ in December, Nikhil said there was nothing surprising about the remark. “Given the current political developments, something is certainly brewing,” he said, expressing confidence in significant political shifts in the coming months.

Nikhil targeted the Congress-led State Government for ‘anti-farmer’ policies highlighting the plight of farmers in Sindhanur where paddy and jowar are primary crops. “The government has failed to ensure fair prices or market support, leaving farmers in distress,” he said.

He responded to the criticism by Congress leaders, who questioned the contributions of H.D. Kumaraswamy during his tenure as Union Minister, by stating that it was Mr. Kumaraswamy who wrote to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan regarding the crisis faced by mango farmers following which the Centre approved the procurement of 2.5 lakh metric tonnes of mangoes.

“The Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Union Cabinet all responded warmly to Mr. Kumaraswamy’s efforts. Such leadership is a gift from the people, and I thank our party workers and the people of Karnataka for giving him that strength,” he added.

Nikhil called Karnataka’s Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy ‘helpless and incompetent’, and questioned whether such leadership could truly drive agricultural development in Karnataka.

“When a delegation led by former minister Nadagouda met the Agriculture Minister regarding the difficulties faced by farmers in Sindhanur, the Minister claimed that he had no knowledge of the issue. This shows the sorry state of our administration,” Nikhil said.

Tractor rally and temple visit

Before addressing the rally, Nikhil visited the Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka temple and sought the deity’s blessings. He then led a tractor rally, through the streets, comprising hundreds of party workers who shouted slogans and lined the roads in support.

The meeting was attended by several prominent JD(S) leaders, including former ministers Venkatarao Nadagouda and Alokod Hanumanthappa, Sindhanur MLA Nemiraj Nayak, former MLA Raja Venkatappa Nayak, core committee member C.V. Chandrashekhar, State women’s wing president Rashmi Ramegowda, leader Siddu Bandi, Raichur district president Virupaksha, and Sindhanur taluk president Basavaraj Nadagouda.